Celebration Midweek - November 24

This is an extremely busy week so here are your 5 things to know for this week!

1. Thanksgiving Eve Service, Wednesday, November 27 at 7PM. Gather together to give thanks to God with our families, including our church family. Consider bringing a non-perishable food item to church that will be used in the food basket for our adopted family. Our evening services are always touching and worshipful.

2. Bobby Kenny - Our giant doorman/umbrella holder/bouncer/teddy bear/friend who we lovingly know as Bobby Kenny died yesterday, Monday. We will have a luncheon in honor of Bobby on Friday, November 29 at 1:30PM at Celebration Community Church. Please bring your stories and pictures of Bobby to the luncheon to share with others.

3. Sunday - We begin our Advent series that will highlight how the darkness of our world is shattered by the light of Christmas. This Sunday will be how out of the Darkness of Despair comes the Light of Hope! (Isaiah 9:1-7)

4. Adopt a Family - We ran out of gift tags in a record 10 minutes! We have another family that we will sponsor this year for Christmas. The gift tags will be on the tree for Sunday. Also, bring a non-perishable food item to church at our Thanksgiving Eve service that will be used in the food basket for our adopted family. Other questions, contact Cheryl Ferguson or the church office.

5. Prayers - We have a very lengthy prayer list this week. Please pray for:
- The many people who suffer from depression and heart ache during the holidays.
- The family of Bobby Kenney especially his son Shaun.
- Tammy Postma as sheis in the middle of a divorce she does not want.
- Heather DeBoer (daughter-in-law of Dick and Sue) that the doctors in Ann Arbor reach a diagnosis and are able to treat her.
- Have a prayer of praise that God provides in timely ways especially in ways we are not anticipating.
- People who are traveling, coming home for the holidays.
- Robin Busch, Tim Bosma's sister as she goes through treatment for esophageal cancer. Prayer of praise that she is feeling better after her first chemo treatment.
- Prayer of thankfulness from Sherry Essenberg for answered prayers for family and friends.
- Prayer of praise for Holly's friend Aimee. Her power came back on the night before her surgery. She had her surgery and it was very successful and she is recovering nicely in her own home.
- The families in Illinois in your prayers as they rebuild after the tornados.
- Reye's nieces, Delilah and Sevonney they are both hospitalized for health issues.


--

Pastor Matt Eenigenburg
Celebration Community Church
1260 W. Sherman Blvd.
Muskegon, MI 49441
www.celebrationmuskegon.com/
www.facebook.com/celebration.muskegon
(231) 571-4137

Celebration Midweek - November 20

As I type this email I hear the guys working on the roof! What a wonderful sound to hear! This cannot come soon enough since the last heavy rainstorm helped my office to develop a leak! Yea East Muskegon Roofing!

1. Thanksgiving Eve Service: Wednesday, November 27 at 7PM - Gather together next week to give thanks to God with our families including our church family. Consider bringing a non-perishable food item to church that will be used in the food basket for our adopted family. Our evening services are always touching and worshipful.

2. Annual Congregational Meeting: Sunday, December 15 - This meeting after the morning worship service is where we approve the budget and hear of other noteworthy information regarding Celebration.

3. Adopt a Family - We hope to have the gift tags on the Christmas tree this Sunday for our family from LoveINC. Bring a non-perishable food item to church at our Thanksgiving Eve service.  They will be used in the food basket for our adopted family. More? Contact Cheryl Ferguson or church office.

4. Prayers - Please be in prayer for:
- Those in our congregation who are in need. This is a very hard time of year for some.
- The Architect Input Team that meets on Monday. May the input given lead to the advancement of God's work at Celebration!
- Direction in reaching out to our community.
- The Peterman family. Jamie's father Norm has gone to be with Jesus.
- Those who have lost their homes, and those families who lost loved ones in the tornadoes in Illinois.
- Those suffering in the Philippines.
- Chris Nicholes and his new baby Nevaeh. Pray for their guidance, discernment and care.
- Makenna Hentschel. She is still having issues with bleeding on the brain as her mom struggles with maintaining a place for them to live.
- People at Celebration in our congregation facing difficult decisions.



--
Pastor Matt Eenigenburg
Celebration Community Church
1260 W. Sherman Blvd.
Muskegon, MI 49441
www.celebrationmuskegon.com/
www.facebook.com/celebration.muskegon
(231) 571-4137

7 Things to Remember This Week at Celebration

If you are rushed today, read through the noteworthy items but then mark this email as unread. Come back to it later when you are not rushed and pray over each item in the prayer request section. WHY? There is a great difference between becoming informed of the needs of God's people and actually lifting them up to God.  Invest some time with God and bring up the cares of others too. "Come near to God and he will come near to you." (James 4:8)

1. Update - We have moved forward in the building process to work with Post Associates as our architectural firm. An Architect Input Team is being formed to make sure that the architect has the necessary information to make plans for the building both now and into the future.


2. Roof, Roof! - It is a happy day because we are going to have our roof replaced! The renovation is scheduled to start on Monday, November 19! There will more efficient insulation installed, a slope to the roof, and there should not be a need to find more buckets when it rains! Yea!

3. Great Chili Feed! - Thanks to all who entered a crockpot into the contest this past Sunday. It is always enjoyable to see tables full of food at church! The 2013 Champions are: White Chili = Nikki Rowell, Red Chili = Duane Blohm. Nicely done!

4. Adopt a Family - We will once again Adopt a Family for Christmas. Gift tags will be on the Christmas tree November 24th and we are asking that all gifts be wrapped and brought to the church by December 15. We will do a non-perishable food drive for the family at the Thanksgiving service.

5. Thanksgiving Service - As we gather together to give thanks with our families let us not forget to also come together with our church family. Join us Wednesday evening, November 27th at 7pm to give thanks to our Lord. Our evening services are always touching and worshipful.

6. Christmas Cookies - What better way to celebrate the Christmas season than with cookies. Each Sunday in December we will give you the opportunity to bring 2 dozen of your favorite Christmas cookies to enjoy after the morning worship service. There will be a sign-up sheet on the information table beginning November 24th.

7. Prayers - Here are some of our prayer concerns since last week. Please pray for:
- Brenda Doctor who is struggling with body pain and depression.
- Charlene's friend Pam whose husband Mike passed away this past week due to complications from having his gallbladder removed.
- Frank VanHees whose procedure was successful! Yea!
- Patti Lacy as she continues to search for a job.
- Those suffering in the Philippines due to the recent typhoon.
- Those in the process of making critical life decisions.
- Those struggling with alcoholism and other vices in their lives.
- Families caught in the difficult process of divorce.
- Rex LeaTrea (Nancy Bosma) is free of heart blockages and is now free to continue heart therapy and hunting!


--
Pastor Matt Eenigenburg
Celebration Community Church
1260 W. Sherman Blvd.
Muskegon, MI 49441
www.celebrationmuskegon.com/
www.facebook.com/celebration.muskegon
(231) 571-4137

Celebration Midweek - Nov. 6

Hey Celebration! Happy Rainy Wednesday in the metropolis of Muskegon! Hopefully these bits of information will bring some sunshine into your life!

Sunday, November 10, Annual Chili Cook-Off - Come for the competition but stay to sample the great chilies for lunch! Bring a crock pot of chili even if you didn't sign up for the contest! These will be some of the best chilies you have ever tasted!

Sunday - Seriously speaking, who needs the church? What practical reasons would a person ever consider joining a church? Invite a friend Sunday who may be dealing with this topic. (Hebrews 10:19-25)

Prayers - We have a few prayer requests from Sunday. Please pray for:
- Paul Crum had surgery on his hand on Wednesday.
- Pastor Matt's neighbor Steve had his mother pass away on Tuesday.
- Pam Williamson as she continues to grieve over the loss of both of her parents during the past year and other stressors.
- Church construction as we move along with giving input to the architect.
- Nancy Bosma's friend Rosemary and her husband Tom who just lost Tom's mother.
- Michael and Rebecca. Michael is recovering from a heart aneurysm.
- The ladies attending the Decolores weekend in Grand Haven this coming weekend including Nancy Bosma.
- Steve DuRose's mother who was diagnosed with lymphoma.
- Those who are suffering with relationship heart aches and those going through divorce.

--Pastor Matt Eenigenburg
Celebration Community Church
1260 W. Sherman Blvd.
Muskegon, MI 49441
www.celebrationmuskegon.com/
www.facebook.com/celebration.muskegon
(231) 571-4137

Celebration Midweek - October 31

I heard the best illustration last night of how we are like carved pumpkins!  The GEMS girls club leader Courtney Kingshott spoke how God specifically chooses us, takes out all of the messiness in our heart, shapes us how he wishes us to be, and then puts us on display for the world to see as his masterpiece.  Remember that you are more than a pumpkin; you are a masterpiece for God!

Here are 5 other things you should know!

1. More Time? - Adjust your clock Saturday night for the beginning of Daylight Savings Time. This doesn't get you more time but we "Fall back" one hour! On the other hand, don't adjust your clocks and get to church early so you can participate in the Adult Sunday School! Yea!

2. Events:
Sunday, November 10, Annual Chili Cook-Off - Do you like a little friendly competition? Sign-up for our annual Chili Cook-off. The chilies will be judged by our congregation with categories in white and red chili. The sign-up sheet is at the information booth!!

Christmas for LoveINC family - Stay tuned for more details for how you can be involved in making a good Christmas for someone else this year!
P.S. Congrats to Anika E-burg who won the Pumpkin Carving Contest. I am sure that the sight of one pumpkin eating another was the scariest thing ever! Thanks Amie for pulling this all together!

3. Sunday - Being happy is a dream for many people. They haven't been happy in years. Invite a friend to hear how our pursuit of happiness starts and ends with Jesus! (Psalm 37:1-6)

4. Thanks - I, Pastor Matt, would like to thank you, my Celebration Church family, for all of the love you have lavished on me since arriving in Michigan but especially during this past month. The gifts, kind words, and hugs during Pastor Appreciation Month remind me of how good God and his people have been to me. Thanks so much!

5. Prayers - Here are our prayer requests from Sunday:
- John Grabinski has an abscessed tooth.
- Lori Eaton, friend of Cheryl Ferguson, will undergo Chemo and radiation therapy for breast cancer.
- Tim Bosma's sister Robin Busch. They are starting Chemo and radiation to shrink the cancer in her esophagus before they do surgery to remove it.
- Jessie Ribbens as she recovers from oral surgery to have 4 impacted wisdom teeth removed.
- Prayer of praise for our Celebration family as we grow in Christ and with each other.
- Evan Bluhm, friend of Jessie Ribbens, he is suffering from a concussion.
- Pastor Matt has a pulled calf muscle. (It's tough getting old!)

- Pray for the people in family relationships that are strained or broken.
- Thank you from Ruth Hinojosa for all of your prayers for her mother. She is expected to live 6 months to a year. Please continue to pray for God's grace and blessings and her peace of mind on this journey.

--
Pastor Matt Eenigenburg
Celebration Community Church
1260 W. Sherman Blvd.
Muskegon, MI 49441
www.celebrationmuskegon.com/
www.facebook.com/celebration.muskegon
(231) 571-4137

Celebration Midweek - October 23

Hey Celebration!
I am pumped! Here's why: the nursery is getting too small to hold the Adult Education class each Sunday morning. The Iron Man Men's Group needs extra chairs to get everyone at the table. The Wednesday Night "Defending Your Faith" Group may need to get a bigger home than the Ribben's to meet. We will fill the tables in the Oasis room this Sunday at noon with the newly formed small group.
This is exciting because God is moving in the hearts of the people of Celebration. People are searching for community. People long to grow deeper in their faith with Jesus. People yearn to be part of something that matters in eternity.
This is not a testimony to us. It is our God who puts these longings in the hearts of his people. I am excited to see where God is leading the people of Celebration who are seeking after the things that only our great God can provide!

Whew! That was a long-winded! Here are more things you should know:
1. Events:
Sunday, October 27, Pumpkin Contest! - Bring your carved pumpkin to church Sunday for the contest! Stay for the contest judging and the caramel apples after the worship.
Sunday, November 10, Annual Chili Cook-Off - Do you like a little friendly competition? Sign-up for our annual Chili Cook-off. The chilies will be judged by our congregation with categories in white and red chili. The sign-up sheet is at the information booth!!

2. New Roof - We will be putting on a new roof in the next few weeks! Whew! We were running out of buckets! This initiates the start to the remodeling of phase 2. Yea God!

3. More Building Progress - Three architectural firms have decided to give Celebration a proposal on how they could help us design phase 2. These proposals are due Friday October 25. Then the committee must decide which firm would be the best fit to work on this project. Please be in prayer that the committee follows Gods leading on this selection process.

4. Sunday - Our next step in our Digging Deeper series deals with the very basic question of influence.  Who or what has the most influence in your life?  Your answer makes all the difference!   (Luke 18:17-31)

5. Prayers - Please pray for:
- Norm Peterman, father of Jamie, was admitted to Hackley Hospital recently with pneumonia and other issues.
- Steve DuRose's mom and is aunt who are both battling health issues. Steve's mom is in need of surgery.
- Continued prayer for Carla, friend of Paula Espinoza who was diagnosed with cancer. She is done with her treatments and they are awaiting test results.
- Prayer of praise. Brenda Swanson was in church Sunday and is recovering well from her surgery.
- Nancy and Tim Bosma's brother Rex and Sister Robin. Please keep them in prayer as they go through health issues.
- Praise God for his care of our loved ones!
- Jena as she is struggling in placement.


--
Pastor Matt Eenigenburg
Celebration Community Church
1260 W. Sherman Blvd.
Muskegon, MI 49441
www.celebrationmuskegon.com/
www.facebook.com/celebration.muskegon
(231) 571-4137

Embrace the Season - October 16

Wait a minute! Is Fall finally here? I was really enjoying the extended summer! However, if there is one thing that Minnesota weather taught me is that you must embrace each changing season. The alternative is that 6 months of the year you will be miserable! I don't think God meant us to bellyache and whine and waste our lives bemoaning the changes that come our way. Well, that was a long introduction to the important things to know for this week. Enjoy!

1. Event Planning! - The Fellowship Team meets this Sunday after the worship service upstairs in the loft. Keep them in prayers as they continue to plan for church-wide events.
October 27– Pumpkin Carving / Caramel Apple event
December - Adopting a family for Christmas.

2. November 10, Annual Chili Cook-Off - Do you like a little friendly competition? Sign-up for our annual Chili Cook-off. The chili will be judged by our congregation with categories in white and red chili. The sign-up sheet is at the information booth!!

3. Sunday - We at Celebration know that everyone has a past and many still hold on to the shame.  So much so that some people feel as if God could never love them because of the things they have done.  Invite a friend to church Sunday who needs to hear the answer to this question, "Does God Love Me?"

4. Sunday, October 27, 6:00PM, Reformation Day Worship Service - Everyone is invited to a community worship service at 1st CRC in Grand Haven featuring Dr. Neil Plantinga, President Emeritus of Calvin Theological Seminary and a well-known preacher and author. The Grand Haven Christian School Choir will sing, nursery is available, AND refreshments will be served following the service. For more information, go to www.firstchurchgrandhaven.com.   

5. Prayers Needed for:
- Mary Patton thanks everyone for their prayers during their recent doctor visit for Adele.
- Thelma's brother Herm has multiple ailments and is very week.
- Robin Busch, Tim Bosma's sister, who was diagnosed with stage 2 esophogeal cancer.
- Safety and good shooting for those participating in the various hunting expeditions this fall.
- Thanks that Cheryl Ferguson is feeling better.
- The unspoken and unpublicized requests on our hearts!

--
Pastor Matt Eenigenburg
Celebration Community Church
1260 W. Sherman Blvd.
Muskegon, MI 49441
www.celebrationmuskegon.com/
www.facebook.com/celebration.muskegon
(231) 571-4137